18 February to 20 February 2020
During a routine inspection
This service is rated as Good.
This was the first time that this service had been inspected and rated.
The key questions are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? – Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Cedars Surgery (Improved Access Hub) as part of our inspection programme from 18 to 20 February 2020.
The service is provided by DGS Health Ltd, which delivers additional GP services to patients who are registered with GP practices within the NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area. The Cedars Surgery (Improved Access Hub) provides an improved access service only. The improved access service gives patients the choice of accessing GP services at a place that is not their own GP practice and at times when their own GP may or may not be open.
Other services run by DGS Health Ltd from their head office and other hubs include: a paramedic home visiting service; a home visiting service plus (to care homes); and a wound care service. DGS Health Ltd also employ and supervise Clinical Pharmacists who work at and support local GP practices.
DGS Health Ltd is operated from a head office based at the Fleet Health Campus, Fleet Health Centre, Vale Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 8BZ.
Our key findings were:
•The service had good systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When they did happen, the service learned from them and improved their processes.
•The service routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment were delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
•Staff involved and treated people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
•Patients were able to access care and treatment from the service within an appropriate timescale for their needs.
•There was a strong focus on continuous learning, improvement and innovation at all levels of the organisation.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
•Create a service website.
•Continue to implement plans for audits of antimicrobial prescribing and other appropriate medicines audits.
•Senior management should consider increasing their visibility and accessibility to all staff.
•Monitor that revised induction guidelines are being followed consistently across all hubs.
Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP
Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care